What is Wegovy?

Wegovy is a weekly injectable treatment prescribed for weight loss. It has the active ingredient semaglutide and is prescribed for patients with a high BMI (our clinicians will check your BMI before prescribing Wegovy). It is recommended that, along with taking Wegovy, patients consume a healthy low-calorie diet and increase the amount of physical exercise they engage in for the best results.

How does Wegovy work?

Wegovy is a GLP-1 medication, or a glucagon-like peptide receptor agonist. The active ingredient in Wegovy, semaglutide, works by activating a receptor in the pancreas (GLP-1). This increases the release of a hormone called incretin which usually comes from the stomach. This:

• Slows down digestion
• Helps you stay fuller for longer
• Encourages you to eat less

What's the difference between Wegovy and other GLP-1 medications?

Other GLP-1 medications include Mounjaro and Ozempic. These work in a similar way to Wegovy, as weekly injections that help patients feel full (decreasing ‘food noise’ and

encouraging weight loss alongside a low-calorie diet and increased exercise). The main differences between Wegovy and other GLP-1 medications are:

• Active ingredients - The active ingredient in Wegovy is semaglutide. Other treatments have different active ingredients: Mounjaro contains tirzepatide while Saxenda contains liraglutide
• Availability - Treatments like Ozempic are not available for prescription for weight loss as they are intended for patients with type-2 diabetes. If you receive a prescription for Wegovy, be sure to check your local pharmacy has stock before you go to pick it up
• Effectiveness - Effectiveness for weight loss can vary based on treatment (see the ‘How effective is Wegovy’ section below)
• How they work - Some treatments like Mounjaro are known as ‘dual receptor agonists’ as they can activate a second receptor to help the body feel fuller for longer

How effective is Wegovy?

Recent clinical studies on the highest dose of Wegovy (7.2mg) showed that the average weight loss after 72 weeks was 18.7%. 47.7% of participants were able to lose 20% or more of their initial weight.

Who can take Wegovy?

Wegovy is primarily used for weight management in adults. It is prescribed for patients who:

• Have a BMI of 30 or above
• Have a BMI of 27 or above and suffer from a weight-related health problem

It can also be used alongside a calorie-restricted diet and regular exercise to reduce the risk of serious heart issues for patients who:

• Have a history of heart disease
• Are overweight (i.e. a BMI on or over 27)

Who is Wegovy not suitable for?

Please make sure that you are not allergic to any of the ingredients in Wegovy before you start treatment (this should be outlined to your healthcare provider or clinician when you are taking a consultation. You can find a list of ingredients on page 6 of the patient information leaflet.

Do not take Wegovy if the following applies to you:

• Pregnant or breastfeeding
• Already taking a GLP-1 medication like Mounjaro (taking both of these at once will not increase weight loss - it increases the risk of you suffering from side effects)
• Are taking a sulfonylurea or an insulin

How to inject Wegovy

Take the dosage you have been recommended by your healthcare provider. See a list of dosages and recommendations for your weekly injection schedule in our next section.

For detailed instructions on how to use a Wegovy pen, consult page 8 onwards of the Wegovy patient information leaflet. Keep the following in mind:

• Check the name and dose of your pen to make sure the dose is there
• Make sure the Wegovy is clear and colourless - do not use it if this is not the case
• Always use a new needle for each injection
• Make sure your needle is applied tightly
• Remove caps
• Check the flow with each new pen – only check this before your first injection with each new pen
• If a needle is blocked, change it
• Hold the dose button until the dose shows 0
• Ask your healthcare provider about how to dispose of needles

Where to inject Wegovy

Wegovy should be injected into the tummy, thigh or upper arm. Do not inject in the exact same point for multiple weeks in a row as this will harm the skin in and around the injection site.

Dosage and schedule

Inject once a week - preferably on the same day each week, it doesn’t matter what time.

As per Wegovy’s patient information leaflet, when you start treatment your dose will be 0.25mg. This dose will be slowly increased over time until you reach a regular maintenance dose (this process is known as titration). The dosing schedule goes as follows:

Treatment stage	Weeks 1-4	Weeks 5-8	Weeks 9-12	Weeks 13-16	Weeks 17+
Dosage	0.25mg (weekly)	0.5mg (weekly)	1mg (weekly)	1.7mg (weekly)	2.4mg (weekly)

Please contact your healthcare provider if you are experiencing side effects or struggling while on a new dosage. They will determine whether this dosage (or Wegovy) is a suitable treatment for you.

How do you store Wegovy?

Before opening Wegovy, store the treatment in a refrigerator and keep between 2 – 8°C. Keep the pen lid on. Do not freeze your pens. If you remove a pen from the fridge it should be used within six weeks. If the pen is stored anywhere hotter than 30°C it needs to be thrown away. Keep Wegovy out of the sight and reach of children.

What happens if you miss a dose?

If you’ve missed a dose of Wegovy, work out how long it has been since you were supposed to inject.

• If it has been 5 days or less since you were supposed to inject Wegovy, inject the missed dose as soon as possible. Take your next dose on your regularly scheduled day.
• If it has been more than 5 days, you should skip your dose for the week and take your next dose on your regularly scheduled day.

DO NOT take a double dose of Wegovy to make up for a missed dose. Doing so will only increase your likelihood of suffering from side effects.

Wegovy side effects

Like any treatment, there is a chance that you will get side effects while taking Wegovy. Let your healthcare provider know if you suffer from any side effects and they can reassess if Wegovy is a suitable treatment for you.

For more information on Wegovy’s side effects, read through the patient information leaflet.

Common Wegovy side effects

The following Wegovy side effects are very common and usually go away over time.

• Headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Stomach pain, constipation or diarrhoea
• Feeling weak or tired

Other common side effects of Wegovy (i.e. can affect up to 1 in 10 people) include:

• Burping (and other gas)
• Bloating or inflamed stomach
• Gallstones
• Hair loss
• Injection site reactions
• Change to skin sensation
• Changes to how food and drink tastes

Patients with diabetes may also experience low blood sugar. If this happens to you, please contact your GP for advice on treatment. Symptoms of low blood sugar can involve:

• Cold sweat
• Cool, pale skin
• Headache
• Fast heartbeat
• Trembling or shakiness

Rare Wegovy side effects

Rare side effects (i.e. something that might affect up to 1 in 1000 people) include:

• Hip fractures
• Severe allergic reaction (breathing problems, trouble swallowing, dizziness, etc.). Stop treatment and seek immediate medical help if you get these symptoms.

Wegovy FAQs

• How does our medicated weight loss service work?

  Our medicated weight loss service is simple to use:

  ● Select your medication and fill in the questionnaire. Make sure to mention any other treatments you are taking, along with any allergies and any medical conditions.

  ● One of our experienced clinicians will review your answers. If you are considered suitable for a treatment, we will provide a prescription

  ● (Please note that the amount you will pay for the prescription is separate from the price of the treatment - you will have to pay this when picking it up from the pharmacy)

  ● You will have to submit a video of your ID and weight so we can verify your BMI. We will not send the prescription to a pharmacy until you have completed this step. If you have not sent this verification after six months you will be refunded and you will need to complete the above steps again

  ● Once you have been verified, we will send your prescription to your chosen pharmacy for pick-up and payment in-store

• Is Wegovy the same as Ozempic?

  No. While Wegovy and Ozempic have the same active ingredient, semaglutide, they are licensed for different purposes. Wegovy is specifically approved for weight loss management, while Ozempic is approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The dosage and schedules differ, with Wegovy having higher dosages specifically to target for weight loss.

• Can I start Wegovy at 1.7mg?

  No, starting Wegovy requires you to start at a lower dosage. You will gradually build up the strength of the Wegovy injection to allow your body time to adjust and reduce side effects.

  If you are switching from Mounjaro to Wegovy, your starting dosage may be higher than 0.25mg starting dosage. Your starting dosage will be decided by the clinician during a consultation.

• Can I stay on a low dose of Wegovy?

  Yes, it is possible to stay on a lower dose of Wegovy if it’s tolerated well and still provides weight loss results. Some people find a moderate dosage gives sufficient weight loss, although it must be reviewed with your clinician. The important thing is balancing the effectiveness with side effect tolerance.

• What should I expect in the first week of Wegovy?

  In the first week, you’re likely to notice some mild Wegovy side effects as your body adjusts. These may include nausea, reduced appetite, fullness and possibly some digestive changes like constipation. Significant weight loss or appetite suppression may not be obvious yet because the dose is still low and it's the beginning of your weight loss journey.

• How long does Wegovy take to work?

  Wegovy works from the first injection, where you may start to notice a reduction in hunger or feel fuller quicker. You may not see noticeable weight loss results, as these typically start around week 16 with consistent use. At this point, clinical trial patients saw their weight begin to decrease between 5-10%. The full effects of Wegovy become more noticeable as you follow the schedule and have reached a maintenance dosage.

• Can I switch weight loss treatments from Mounjaro to Wegovy?

  Yes, however it should only be done under medical supervision. Mounjaro and Wegovy injections contain different active ingredients (tirzepatide in Mounjaro and semaglutide in Wegovy) so they work slightly differently in the body and have separate dosing schedules.

  A consultation with a clinician is essential. They will review your medical history, how you've responded to treatment and your eligibility for Wegovy, to ensure the switch is both safe and effective.

• What should I eat on Wegovy?

  To have the best results while taking Wegovy, having a diet that is calorie controlled and balanced is ideal. Focus on foods that are high in protein, are complex carbohydrates and a colourful variety of fruit and vegetables. It's advisable to avoid processed foods, especially in the early stages, as they can increase the Wegovy side effects you may experience.

  Those who have found it difficult to manage their Wegovy side effects have found plain food easier to digest as they got used to the medication.

• References

  • https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183
  • https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7770496/
  • https://www.diabetes.ie/hypoglycaemia-low-blood-glucose-level-what-you-need-to-know/
  • https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.13801.pdf
  • https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about-diabetes/looking-after-diabetes/treatments/tablets-and-medication/semaglutide

  Once-weekly semaglutide 7·2 mg in adults with obesity (STEP UP): a randomised, controlled, phase 3b trial - Sean Wharton, Paula Freitas, Jøran Hjelmesæth, Maria Kabisch, Kristian Kandler, Ildiko Lingvay, Maria Quiroga, Julio Rosenstock, W/ Timothy Garvey, on behalf of the STEP UP trial group*